Ross County 2
Dundee Utd 4
League (Premiership)

Match Report

With Gavin Gunning suspended, John Souttar was called into action by manager Jackie McNamara, handing the centre half his first Premiership appearance of the season. The only other change to the starting XI that faced Celtic two weeks ago was that of Ryan Gauld in for David Goodwillie, the latter dropping to the bench. The Dingwall side remained unchanged from the side that drew 0-0 at Easter Road when last they played.

Nadir Ciftci wasted no time in recording United's first shot on target. Testing Mark Brown with a strike from a free kick. A flurry of corners ensued, albeit to no avail, however the Terrors would eventually see the fruits of their labour when Gary Mackay-Steven was fouled by Brown; referee Brian Colvin unsurprisingly awarding the visitors a penalty. Gary Mackay-Steven duly obliged with the spot kick and calmly scored. Within two minutes of the opener, United had double their lead. Following great link-up play with Ryan Gauld, Ciftci turned provider and with Stuart Armstrong lurking, his well placed cross found the head of the midfielder, leaving Brown standing. The afternoon continued to get worse for the home side as Ryan Gauld finished off a chance of his own, expertly slotting the ball across the outstretched body of Brown as the keeper and his defence could only watch it trundle in at the far post. At 3-0, United looked unstoppable. A late chance for Andrew Robertson flew over the bar and with only one minute of added time required, the first half drew to a close.

No doubt the recipients of a stern talking to from manager Derek Adams, County emerged for the second half with slightly more zip about them, however it was United who would enjoy the first opportunities, Ciftci then Gauld trying their luck facing the "Jail End". It was Ciftci on fifty-five minutes who would force Brown into action once again, with the finger tips to the rescue as the score remained 3-0. Nadir Ciftci was not to be denied on his third time of asking though. Clean through on goal Nadir Çiftçi calmly dribbled past Brown before placing the ball into the net to score his third goal in as many games for the Club. The the next goal of the game did in fact come for the home side; Ivan Sproule's dipping shot taking a deflection as it looped past Cierzniak. Were it not for the five minutes that followed, Sproule's goal may have merely been deemed a consolation but on seventy-seven minutes, a wicked Carey cross met Rocco Quinn who made no mistake in scoring County's second. With only fifteen minutes on the clock, County believed they may have been on for a comeback. It was not to be however. Resolute play across the park from United following a wild few minutes saw the Terrors reassert their authority. The win pushes United into fifth place in the Premiership table, with a goal difference bettered only by first placed Inverness Caledonian Thistle and second placed Celtic.

Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer - More photos available at:
Dundee United Official Flickr Page